All going swimmingly…

The Great British Skinny Dip has got off to a flying start this #septembare, and there’s still the rest of the month to go!

Down in Devon, Torbay Sun Club welcomed forty people to their skinny dip at the usually non-Naturist Hollicombe Beach in Paignton. Those who attended included a coupe from Germany and two women who had skinny dipping on their bucket lists! With good local press coverage and several new members, the event has been a resounding success. One of the ims of the event was also to try to help convince the local authority to make the beach Naturist – hopefully an aim that will be realised! Another beach dip, at Climping in Sussex, didn’t get great weather, but those who attended raised £75 for ‘Safe in Sussex’.

Diogenes in Buckinghamshire once again partnered with Rennie Grove Hospice Care and hosted a sponsored skinny dip at the club, enjoying beautiful warm sunshine. Of the thirteen who attended, eleven were new to Naturism and some have since requested membership forms. All the visitors were impressed by the welcome they received, and the first timers all loved their first experience of Naturism! One of the event’s aims, aside from helping a great local cause, was to normalise Naturism – there’s no doubt that this was realised.

The very beautiful Beacon Tarn, near to Coniston in the Lake District, attracted an increased turnout of twenty four this year – up from fifteen last year. The weather, while better than last year, was still damp, however the hardy souls who took part had a great ramble up to the tarn and enjoyed champagne picnic as well as a bracing dip in this wonderful setting. Afterwards, many of the group headed for a warm up and some refreshments in the Black Bull in Coniston – a fitting end to a wonderful event.

The regular swim run by Noah’s Ark in Surrey were pleased to have four new women come along – three of whom had never swum naked before. All have said they would return – very encouraging!

Back north again, this time to Yellowcraig on the Forth, where a dawn skinny dip was held in aid of Marie Curie. Another stunning location, enhanced by the magic of the sun coming up over the horizon, the twelve skinny dippers enjoyed the wonderfully calm waters and the organisers are grateful to the RNLI for providing safety cover.